Kazoo and Face Mask Combination

ABSTRACT

A new type of kazoo and mounting therefor in a face mask.

United States Patent McClary May 20, 1975 [54] KAZOO AND FACE MASK COMBINATION 3,439,447 4/ 1969 Green 46/ 182 1973 h 1 [75] Inventor: Joseph Michael McClary, 3738056 6/ Sc u tz 46,178

Bremwmd FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS g w Kusan, Nashville, Tenn- 879,547 10/1961 United Kingdom 46/182 [22] Filed: Apr. 5, 1974 [21] APPL 45 24 Primary Examiner -L0uis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerRobert F. Cutting Attorney, Agent, or FirmRaymond N. Matson [52] US. Cl. 46/1 F; 46/175; 46/182 [51] Int. Cl A63h 5/00 [58] Field of Search 46/1 F, 175, 172,6/118802, ABSTRACT A t References Cited marl?! ype of kazoo and mountlng therefor 1n t1 face UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1930 Myers 46/182 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures FFJENIEDMAYBOEYS FIG! I I I I I I I I I KAZOO ANT) FACE MASK COMBINATION This invention relates generally to a toy musical instrument and a novel mounting therefor and more particularly to a new type of kazoo and its novel combination with and mounting in a face mask.

Conventional kazoos are well known in the art and by definition comprise a toy or rude musical instrument consisting of a tube inside of which is stretched a strip of catgut which is made to vibrate by humming or singing into it.

Face masks are also well known in the art and are worn by children and adults alike at parties. etc. and may cover the full face or either the upper or lower half thereof.

The main object ofthe present invention is to provide an improved. new type of kazoo and a face mask mounting therefor which will enhance the enjoyment of children and adults at parties, etc.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel kazoo which is played from the side rather than from either end and which may be played from either side.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel kazoo which may be mounted in a face mask and which, when mounted therein, is concealed thereby.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide at least a partial face mask having mountings for a kazoo therein which will eliminate the necessity of the use of the hands to support it by the wearer.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of the invention. ln this showing FIG. 1 is a front perspective view ofa face mask illus trating the manner in which the new type kazoo is sup ported therein.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view thereof taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view to an enlarged scale of the new type kazoo comprising an important part of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a horizaontal section view thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a similar fragmentary view to a further enlarged scale also showing the method of mounting the vibrating rectangular panel therein.

Referring to the drawings, numeral generally dsignates a mask covering the face although a mask covering only the lower portion of the face is adequate for the purposes of the present invention. The mask may be plain or grotesque as suits the taste of the individual wearer and is provided with the usual stretch cord 12 to encircle the head and to retain the mask in place thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the mask 10 is provided with a pair of slits 14, one on each side of the mouth area 16 in which the supporting ends 18 of the new type kazoo are inserted for secure support therein. It will be noted that the kazoo is thusly supported immediately adjacent the mouth of the mask wearer so as to enable him to readily sing or hum therethrough.

The new type kazoo 20 replaces the strip of catgut of conventional kazoos with a rectangular diaphragm or strip 22 of silver Mylar (the registered trademark of DuPont Co.) which in this application has better musical and sound effects than the catgut when sung or hummed through.

The rectangular strip 22 of silver Mylar is mounted between the two pan-shaped or recessed portions 24, 26 of the new type kazoo which are formed of a suitable plastic such as white polypropylene. The bottoms of the pan-shaped portions each comprise a grid 28, 30 having 10 equal slots 32 each and the grids are offset or spaced from each other to form a recess to receive the Mylar strip 22.

The diaphragm 22 may be hummed through from either side and will not be affected by moisture because of the material used and because the diaphragm is clamped at its ends by the mating of the two portions 24, 26 as at 34. The two portions are permanently joined around their entire periphery as at 36 by heat or sonic seal.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination with a face mask having a substantially vertical slot in each side of the mouth area; of a vertically disposed kazoo diaphragm support having ends inserted in the slots for support thereby; and a cord for encircling the head of the wearer to retain said mask thereon.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said kazoo comprises a pair of mating, pan-like grid portions defining a slot therebetween; and said diaphragm being clamped between the ends of said portions.

3. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said diaphragm is moisture proof. 

1. The combination with a face mask having a substantially vertical slot in each side of the mouth area; of a vertically disposed kazoo diaphragm support having ends inserted in the slots for support thereby; and a cord for encircling the head of the wearer to retain said mask thereon.
 2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said kazoo comprises a pair of mating, pan-like grid portions defining a slot therebetween; and said diaphragm being clamped between the ends of said portions.
 3. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said diaphragm is moisture proof. 